Golf practice target element



Dec. 6, 1949 P. H. BROWN 2,490,409

GOLF PRACTICE TARGET ELEMENT Filed Oct. 3, 1947 Patented Dec. 6, 1949UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Paul H. Brown, Detroit, Mich. ApplicationOctober 3, 1947, Serial No. 777,767

My invention relates to a golf practice device, and more particularly toa simulated golf ball or target for a golf club when the same is swungin a plurality of practice swings by the golfer.

It is well known that perfection in a golf swing is never achievedexcept by constant practice, and it is likewise well known that everypractice swing should be directed at a ball or other target if themaximum good is to be derived from such practice.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of my invention to providean improved golf practice device of the class described.

A further object is to provide an improved golf practice device whichcomprises a target which is adapted to be supported on a plurality ofsup ports for indoor or outdoor use.

A further object is to provide an improved golf practice device whichcomprises a vertical tab of flexible material fixedly attached to a basemember, and a plurality of supporting means adapted for interchangeableuse with said base member for indoor and outdoor use.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of theinvention, combination and arrangement of the several parts thereof, andwill be readily understood by those skilled in the art upon reference tothe attached drawings in connection with the following specification,wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of one form of the invention inuse;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention showing one form of the supporttherefor;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along theplane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3, but showing the device of theinvention attached to an alternate form of support;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention,showing the same in use with the support of Figure 4.

Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein like referencecharacters have been used throughout to designate like parts, Idesignates generally a practice device according to the invention whichcomprises a base member 9 which comprises an elongated member having asubstantially fiat under surface 20 and a convex upper surface H. Theupper surface 2| is transversely slotted, as at 22, centrally thereof.The slot 22 comprises a seat for the lower ends 23 of a mem- 1 Claim.(Cl. 27335) her 8 of flexibl material which is formed to comprise aloop. The flexible member 8 is formed of any suitable material, such asleather, rubber, plastic, or the like, and is adapted to provide atarget for a golf club H1. It is to be understood that the member 8 hassumcient rigidity to return to its upright position after being struckby the golf club in a practice swing. The under surface of the base isformed with a transverse boss 24 having a flat bottom 25 andverticallydisposed front and rear end walls 26 which extend transverselyacross the base inwardly of the rounded ends 21 thereof, whereby toprovide a substantial overhanging portion of the flat under surfacebetween the boss and the ends 21.

- The undersurface 25 of the boss 24 is formed with an upwardly-directedthreaded socket 28 which is adapted to receive the threaded upper end 29of a spike l5, or a'threaded stud I4, as will appear later.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1, 4, and 5, a spike[5 having a threaded upper end 29 and a pointed lower end 16 isthreadedly connected' to the base I by the threaded socket 28 thereof.The spike I5 is then seated in the ground so that the long axis of thebase I lies along the desired and simulated line of flight of theball-simulating target 8. Thus, the long axis of the base 1 providesmeans for assisting the golfer in aligning his feet and directing hisclub along the proper line. If the ground is substantially hard, theunder surface 25 of the boss 24 is seated flush against the ground, asthe spike will be seated firmly enough in the ground to retain thedevice against displacement if the base member I is accidentally struckby the club. However, if the ground is substantially soft, it isdesirable to press the boss 24 into the ground so that th overhangingunder surfaces of the base I seat flush against the ground. With thisarrangement, the vertical end walls 26 of the boss provide relativelybroad ground-engaging surfaces which retard lateral movement of thedevice, and, at the same time, the overhanging under surfaces of thebase retard digging in of the device if the base is accidentally struckby the club. Thus, the boss 24 and the under surface 20 of the baseassist the spike IS in retaining the device properly supported on theground.

Figures 2 and 3 disclose an alternative form of support for the base 1which comprises a disc-like flat support ll having a convex uppersurface 30 and a flat under surface 3|. The base II is preferably madeof metal, but should comthe recess 33 and is formed to provide a recess34 in the upper surface thereof which is complementary to the contour ofthe base 1. The recess 34 is formed with a central aperture or socket 35to receive the boss- 124 of the base! and position the threaded socket28 of such base in alignment with the upper end of the stem' of thethreaded stud [4. Thus, the interengagement of the boss 24 in socket -35prevents lateral movement of base 1 relative to support I l whereby thethreads of the stud l4 and socket 28 are protected against damage inuse.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that the base I is supported on thesupport I l by the threaded engagement of the stud Hi with the base..The bushing 12 is preferably formed of wood, plastic, or othernon-metallic material, whereby to-provide a shock absorber in theeventthe base I is accidentally struck by a practice stroke; This form of theinvention is adapted for use indoors, but may, of course, be usedoutdoors if the golfer so desires. As in the first-described form ofsupport, the device is adapted to be positioned on the base 1 and target8 in the event that one or 4 the other is damaged by an accidental orintentional blow from a golf club.

While I have shown and described what is now thought to be the preferredembodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that the same issusceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limitmyself to the precise structures shown and described, except ashereinafter claimed.

10 I claim:

A golf practice device, comprising an elongated base having upper andunder surfaces and opposite ends, an upwardly-directed flexible targetfor a golf club fixed to said upper surface inter- 1 5 mediate saidends, a depending boss on said under surface, said boss having verticalend walls transversely of said under surface inwardly of said ends, anupwardly-extending threaded socket formed in the bottom of said boss, asubstantially flat rigid-support, said'support having a convexuppersurface, said convex upper surface being formed with an upwardlydirected socket, a resilent shock-absorbing bushing seated in said,socket, said bushing being formed with an upwardly directed sockettherein complementary to said base whereby to clamp said bushing to saidsupport.

PAUL H. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Number Name Date I 0 1,191,444 Lott July 18, 19161,'733,767 Yaggi Oct. 29, 1929 1,784,363 Lester Dec. 9, 1930 1,979,795Clark Nov. 6, 1934 1,999,518 Stafford Apr. 30, 1935

